I was broken out of my thoughts when I heard the elevator ding and the doors slid open. My breaths were coming out shallow, and my palms were sweating as I took a step out of the fancy elevator, silently praying that I didn’t trip in the heels I borrowed from Liv. I wasn’t used to heels this high, and the tight strap digging into my ankle wasn’t helping either.

The first thing I noticed was the silence. Every other floor was bustling with people. Chatter filled the atmosphere along with the sounds of shoes hitting the pristine floors, but up here, it was dead quiet. The stillness of it made me feel uneasy and uncomfortable, almost like I had walked into a forbidden place. But after a while, I finally gathered the courage to take a few more steps. The sound of my heels hitting the polished marble floor, along with the faint rhythm of raindrops repeatedly beating against the massive windows, were the only sounds I could hear.

There wasn't a single person on this floor, which confused me. I thought there would be hundreds of people looking for a job as Amory Reid's personal assistant. I mean, who wouldn't want to work for one of the most powerful men in the country?

I walked further, playing nervously with my earring with one hand while my other held my CV tightly. The receptionist’s desk was empty, which only added to my confusion and anxiety. I walked up to it and noticed a small silver bell sitting on the counter. "Ring bell for assistance" was neatly engraved in elegant cursive writing on the polished block of wood that the bell rested on.

I hesitantly reached my hand up and was about to press the little gold button when a door behind the desk suddenly opened, causing my heart to skip a few beats. With my palm pressed over my rapidly beating heart, I raised my eyes and was met with the delectable view of Amory Reid.

He stood tall with dark hair that was styled perfectly. His lightly tanned skin accentuated his intense ice-blue eyes, and his face was chiselled and perfectly symmetrical, with high cheekbones and a jawline adorned with dark stubble.

He exuded danger and looked hauntingly beautiful. His face could put any sculpture of a Greek god to shame. The masculine beauty he possessed was incomparable. Just like a sunrise or a sunset, each one uniquely different, his beauty was unprecedented.

The suit jacket that adorned his lean figure looked as if it would rip at any second as his broad shoulders stretched it to the max, his large biceps putting even more pressure on the expensive fabric. Even his tie looked like it had been arranged by a stylist with the utmost precision.

The room no longer felt empty. His presence filled it completely, making it hard for me to breathe. It was like the air thickened with each step he took. I stood still, barely able to think, much less move.

I was so lost in admiring the man before me that I failed to notice when he cleared his throat. But when his powerful voice boomed throughout the large room, each syllable bouncing off the cream-colored walls, my eyes snapped up and met his. They held secrets and gave away no emotion. A deep ocean with depths so dark, you could never see the bottom.

I sucked in a sharp breath as his eyes travelled all over my face. After gathering the courage to speak, I finally allowed the words to fall from my lips.

“I’m sorry, sir. I’m here for an interview.” I hated the quiver that ran through my voice, letting him know how nervous I was. The frown on his face etched itself deeper when I spoke, causing my insides to twist in fear and uncertainty. He didn’t reply, but before I could comprehend what was happening, he was striding over to me with sharp, confident movements.

His strides were long and powerful. He looked regal with every step he took, his authoritative presence demanding attention. His sculpted face wore a stone-cold expression, masking any emotion that threatened to surface. He looked like he didn’t smile much, like warmth was something foreign to him.

As he got closer, I caught a whiff of his cologne. It was a purely masculine scent, and as it filled my nostrils, I had to suppress the urge to close my eyes. It was minty with a hint of cinnamon and ash, an intoxicating mix that seemed to wrap itself around me. He smelled expensive, just like everything about him.

He stopped at arm’s length from me, his gaze travelling from my head to my toes. I was finding it hard to stand. My knees felt weak and my palms felt clammy due to his close proximity. My heartbeat thudded in my ears.

“Who are you?” The viciousness lacing his tone caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. His voice bellowed throughout the large room, each word filling the empty space. It was deep and velvety but cold as ice, so sharp it could cut steel.

I shifted slightly in my spot before meeting his eyes. “Sofia Cartier. I am here for an interview, sir.” My voice was small, but I was grateful that it didn’t break or waver.

His eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched. He observed me carefully, tracing every inch of my skin with his icy stare, taking me apart piece by piece with just his gaze.

His stare returned to mine before he spoke in a monotone voice. “You’re on the wrong floor. This is my office. Every other person here for the interview is in a waiting room downstairs.”

I cursed the receptionist in my head. My fists clenched at my sides as I fought the urge to scream. Of course she had sent me up here. Probably on purpose.

He pinned me with his hard eyes, and I gulped, forcing myself to swallow the lump in my throat.

“Care to explain how you got up here, Ms. Cartier?”

I took a deep breath to stop myself from stuttering before I explained the situation in a rush. “The receptionist told me that the interview was up here.” My voice sounded tiny, and I cursed myself for appearing weak. It was the truth, but somehow, I already felt like I was in trouble.

Suddenly, he turned on his heels and began to walk back toward the door he had come from. I was left standing there, confused, as I wondered what was happening. Was I being kicked out? Was I supposed to follow?

“Are you coming or not?” His steely voice sliced through the thick atmosphere, and before I knew it, I was scurrying into his office with him, my heart racing and my nerves unraveling with every step.